Memorial Service Held For 3rd Teen Killed In Baltimore City In 8 Days

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Another day, another memorial service for a murdered Baltimore teen. Najee Thomas, 14, is the third teenager killed in Baltimore City during an eight-day span.

Meghan McCorkell has new details on the investigation.

Police say they have solid leads in the Thomas murder case, but still no arrests.

Balloons and stuffed animals hang on the fence of the Cherry Hill home where 14-year-old Najee Thomas lost his life. The teen was found shot in the head Tuesday. The murder has shocked neighbors.

“They were playing basketball with him the same day he passed away,” said Rozonia Bunch, neighbor.

Thomas is one of three teenagers killed in Baltimore City in just an eight-day stretch. Raysharde Sinclair, 18, was stabbed to death and Michael Mayfield, 17, was shot nine times inside a minivan outside his grandmother’s house.

“There’s a ferocity within this police organization to bring the people who did this to justice,” said Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore City Police. “It’s unacceptable that we’re losing our babies.”

WJZ has learned Najee Thomas is the son of Ronnie Thomas, also known as “Skinny Suge.” He gained notoriety in 2004 for producing the “Stop Snitching” videos. It’s that mentality city leaders say they are fighting against.

“If you’re a grown man in the city of Baltimore and you know what happened to one of these young men and you aren’t saying anything, then you’re not a man,” said Brandon Scott, Baltimore City Council.

The Cherry Hill community had gone more than 200 days without a shooting before Thomas’ death.

“We couldn’t prevent this shooting, but we also can try to prevent the retaliation shooting,” said Warren Williams, Safe Streets.

Police have now stepped up patrols in the community.

The mayor plans to hold a youth violence forum next month.

A viewing for Thomas will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. To help with funeral expenses, click here.

Anyone with information on Thomas’ murder is asked to contact Baltimore City Police.

Meghan McCorkell joined the Eyewitness News team in July 2011 as a General Assignment Reporter.
She came to Baltimore from Columbus, Ohio where she spent nearly three years at WSYX/WTTE. While there, she traveled to Haiti to cover relief efforts...